NEWS & CURRENT ACTIVITES

On September 13, 2008, at 7am, His Holiness entered the great shrine hall of Mahey Gompa, where he performed ritual offering ceremonies together with the monks of Mahey. His Holiness engaged in special practices and prayers for the repelling of natural calamities in Asia. At 9am, His Holiness granted a blessing line to over 2,000 people who were not able to receive a blessing the previous day. Beginning at 10am, in the large field adjacent to the monastery, His Holiness bestowed the long life empowerment of Machik Drubpay Gyalmo and gave a talk connected to this empowerment. In his remarks, he gave advice on how to deal with day-to-day difficulties and gave other highly beneficial instructions. He also discussed the principle of samaya. Representatives of Mahey Gompa made 108 symbolic offerings of gratitude to His Holiness at this time. Approximately 8,000 people attended this event.

At 3pm, His Holiness gave an audience to around 70 people. At 5:30pm, since Drupon Dechen Rinpoche, the head of Mahey Gompa, was about to depart for Sherab Ling (in Bir, India) to receive teachings and transmissions, His Holiness’s entourage, led by Lama Phuntsok, were granted an audience by him.

His Holiness Karmapa visited Changthang, eastern Ladakh and Nubra valley in northern Ladakh. He has delivered a one-day religious discourse at Choglmasar in Leh, Disket in Nubra and Mahey Gonpa in Changthang areas. His Holiness visited Skimthang Village, Kesar Village and had lunch at Rani-bagh, he was greeted by all the villagers and had short receptions at each village he passes.

His Holiness visited Jivetsal Phodrang at Leh and delivered teaching and empowerment. Dinner was hosted in honor of His Holiness at Chokwang Temple by Ladakh Buddhist Association and Ladakh Gonpa Association.

His Holiness will visit Khardong La, Leh Phumdo, Tsodling and Diskit Phodrang at Nubra, His Holiness will deliver religious discourse at Diskit Phodrang. Read the rest of this article

On September 12, 2008, from 10am to 12:40pm, His Holiness gave a speech in which he offered spiritual advice to a gathering of over 6,000 monastics and laypersons in front of Mahey Gompa. In his remarks, His Holiness praised the area of Ladakh as a place where the Buddhist teachings had long ago taken root and had not diminished to this day. He discussed the essence of Buddhadharma as relinquishing negative actions, performing positive actions, and taming one’s mind and encouraged all monastics and laypersons to practice the dharma, which is endowed with tremendous potential for benefit. After giving blessings and gifts to the members of the assembled audience, His Holiness departed to his quarters for rest.

Mahey Gompa was founded in 1970 by the previous Drupon Dechen Rinpoche as directed by the previous Gyalwang Karmapa.

As there are very few residential areas close to the monastery, many laypeople traveled distances ranging from twenty kilometres to 100 kilometres in order to receive His Holiness’s teachings and empowerments. To facilitate transportation, the government of Ladakh provided ten buses.

Leh, Ladakh, September 11 – His Holiness Karmapa inaugurated a school in Leh yesterday. The school has been built with support from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust and managed by Nalanda Dharma Centre.

The school will give education of both Tibetan Buddhism and modern sciences to children of Ladakh region, especially from remote areas. The initial batch of students enrolled are from Drokpa tribe of remote Da-Hanu areas of Ladakh. Read more

Quotes from the 17th Karmapa

Each person must find his or her own path. Nonetheless, seek guidance from wise and compassionate people and listen to them earnestly. This will help you find the best way to proceed – now and in the future.- Karmapa on Guidance

All traditions, whether religious or secular, have developed to benefit human society. In the event that a tradition or system becomes harmful, there’s no need to insist on following it.- Karmapa on Tradition

Human beings are the most intelligent and resourceful species on earth. If we use our intelligence to cause more suffering, rather than to bring some real benefit to others and ourselves, we are no better than beasts.- Karmapa on Intelligence

Just to simply relax and rest in your own natural state is all that you need to do. When you give yourself that opportunity, you’ll find that presence extends to the other parts of your life.- Karmapa on Meditation

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